Frank Lawton credited as playing...
David, the Man
- Mr. Micawber: [knocking from outside] I assume that this imposing edifice houses the brightest star in my firmament of earthly companions; I allude to Master David Copperfield.
- David - the Man: Micawber!
- Mr. Micawber: [Micawber enters the room] Copperfield!
- David - the Man: Mr. Micawber, how wonderful to see you in Canterbury!
- Mr. Micawber: Thank you, this successful conclusion of my peregrinations through highways and byways is a happy augury that something extraordinary is bound to turn up.
- Uriah Heep: Will you excuse me, please?
- David - the Man: Mr. Micawber, this is Uriah Heep, who works for my good friend Mr. Wickfield.
- Mr. Micawber: How do you do? Any friend of my friend Copperfield has a personal claim on me.
- Uriah Heep: Oh thank you, thank you sir, but I'm too humble to be called a friend, Mr. Micawber. I'm grateful to Mr. Copperfield for his kindness. Now if you'll excuse me...
- [Heep bows and leaves the room]
- Mr. Micawber: A man, I perceive, of remarkable shrewdness.
- [walks to the dining room table]
- Mr. Micawber: Ah, fruit!
- David - the Man: Now tell me, how is Mrs. Micawber?
- Mr. Micawber: Mrs. M. is, I am pleased to state, in statu quo... In short, were it not for unfortunate circumstances, not unconnected with finance...
- David - the Man: Tell me.
- Mr. Micawber: No, no, I should never be able to hold my head erect before my fellow man... Shall I confide in you that we are being held virtually as prisoners at the Sun Inn? The sum involved is admittedly trifling.
- David - the Man: Oh, you must allow me.
- [offers some money to Mr. Micawber]
- Mr. Micawber: Never, never!
- David - the Man: Oh please, I insist.
- Mr. Micawber: [accepts David's money] You overwhelm me, your generosity floors me!
- Mr. Micawber: [sings] Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?
- Mr. Micawber: [entering the room] Miss Trotwood, Mr. Copperfield, and Mr. Dick.
- Uriah Heep: Well, this is an unexpected pleasure, Miss Trotwood.
- [chuckles nervously]
- Uriah Heep: There have been some changes in the office since I was an humble clerk, but I'm not changed, Miss Trotwood.
- Aunt Betsy Trotwood: I think you're pretty constant to the promise of your youth, if that's any satisfaction to you.
- Uriah Heep: Oh, thank you for your good opinion.
- David - the Man: No good opinion is wasted on you, Uriah Heep.
- Uriah Heep: Still seeking a quarrel, Master Copperfield?
- David - the Man: I'm seeking more than that.
- Uriah Heep: [Agnes and Mr. Wickfield enter the room] Don't wait, Micawber! What are you waiting for?
- Mr. Micawber: Because... because... In short, I choose!
- Uriah Heep: Oh, you were always a worthless fellow, as all the world knows; you'll oblige me to get rid of you. Now you go along, I'll talk to you presently.
- Mr. Micawber: If there's a scoundrel in all this world with whom I have talked too much, that scoundrel's name is... Heep!
- Uriah Heep: Ah, I see. A conspiracy, eh?
- [to David]
- Uriah Heep: Well, we understand each other, you and me. There's no love between us. You was always a puppy with a proud stomach from your first coming here. You envy me my rise! You'll make nothing of this, I'll match you!
- David - the Man: Mr. Micawber, there's a change in this fellow that assures me we're right. Deal with him as he deserves.
- Uriah Heep: [grunts] Precious set of people, ain't you, trying to buy me clerk over? The very scum, as you yourself was, Copperfield, before anyone had charity on you!
- Uriah Heep: [turns to the Wickfields] Miss Wickfield, if you have any love for your father, don't you join them, because if you do, I'll ruin him!
- Mr. Micawber: Scoundrel!
- [opens and reads a letter]
- Mr. Micawber: "Miss Wickfield, Mr. Wickfield, and others whom it may concern: In denouncing the most consummate villain that ever existed, I ask no consideration for myself, but I declare that Heep, and Heep only of the firm of Wickfield & Heep is the forger and cheat!"
- Uriah Heep: [Heep lunges at Mr. Micawber] Liar! Give me it! I'll get even with you for this! You went and carried out my orders; you're in it as much as I!
- Mr. Micawber: [raises his cane] Approach me, approach me, you... you... Heep of infamy! And if your head is human, I'll break it! I cast off your yoke, I defy you!
- [points his cane at Uriah Heep]
- Mr. Micawber: Come on! Come on! Come on!
- Mr. Micawber: [resumes reading from the letter] "My charges against Heep are as follows: First, he has caused Mr. Wickfield to sign documents of importance, representing them as of no importance, thereby empowering Heep to draw out trust monies."
- Uriah Heep: Prove this you; Copperfield - all in good time I -
- [cringes]
- Mr. Micawber: [continues reading the letter] "Second: Heep has systematically forged in various books and documents the signature of Mr. Wickfield. I have in my possession several imitations of Mr. Wickfield's signature; the work of this monster, Heep!"
- Mr. Micawber: [continues reading] "I am now concluded, and although poverty and imprisonment may follow, I trust the labour of these investigations may be as a sprinkling of sweet water on my funeral pyre, I ask no more. Nay, in justice, let it be said of me, as of a gallant Naval hero, that what I have done, I did for England, home, and duty. Yours, et cetera, etc., etc., Wilkins Micawber."
- Uriah Heep: [runs to the wall safe, opens it] The books! The books are gone! Who stole the books?
- Mr. Micawber: I did, when you gave me the keys this morning as usual.
- David - the Man: Don't be uneasy, they're in my possession now. I'll take care of them.
- Uriah Heep: Oh, so you receive stolen goods now, do you?
- David - the Man: In these circumstances, yes.
- Uriah Heep: Hmm, what do you want done?
- David - the Man: I'll tell you what must be done; Mr. Wickfield, please.
- David - the Man: First, the deed of partnership must be given over to me now, here.
- Uriah Heep: Supposing I haven't got it.
- Aunt Betsy Trotwood: But you have, therefore we won't suppose that.
- [Heep hands the deeds to David]
- David - the Man: Then you must return the bonds you've taken and all the money you've appropriated to the last penny. All the partnership books and papers must remain in our possession.
- Uriah Heep: Must they? I don't know about that. I must have time to think about it.
- David - the Man: Certainly, in the meantime, you may wish to repose in Maidstone Jail.
- [tursn to Mr. Dick]
- David - the Man: Mr. Dick, will you go around and get a couple of officers?
- Mr. Dick: With the greatest pleasure.
- Uriah Heep: No no, don't let's be hasty, don't let's be hasty.
- [turns to David]
- Uriah Heep: Master Copperfield, we've lost our tempers perhaps, and no need of that. I'm a very humble person, Master Copperfield, I've no wish to rise above my place.
- [Heep unlocks the desk drawer, Copperfield takes the bonds from Heep's hands]
- David - the Man: The keys.
- [Mr. Micawber takes the keys from Heep]
- Uriah Heep: Is that all, Master Copperfield?
- David - the Man: Yes.
- Uriah Heep: Then I humbly beg to wish you all a very good day.
- [David returns the papers to Mr. Wickfield as Uriah Heep leaves the room]
- David - the Man: Don't let her notice, in the next box, the most beautiful girl. Oh, Steerforth, what heavenly curls.
- Steerforth: By Jove, she is pretty; but, those two old dragons with her.